Larry Dick and Curt Hagman stand hand in hand on most policy issues, but the Republican rivals for the 60th Assembly District have personalities as different as the turtle and the hare.

Dick, an Orange resident who sits on the Metropolitan Water District board, is a low key 58-year-old with wry wit and the apparent confidence that he’ll get to where he’s going … at his own speed.

Hagman, the talkative 43-year-old Chino Hills mayor, has a bristling energy. Sometimes, the only thing to outrace his explanations of past endeavors is the swarm of details about what he’s got in the works now.

“He’s a fellow with a lot of ideas,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt, who’s worked with Hagman on several projects and is a supporter.

The contest is for a district that straddles Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, with Orange County accounting for about 45 percent of the district’s population. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, is vacating the seat to run for the state Senate.

Because Republicans dominate the district’s voter rolls, the winner of the GOP primary will be the heavy favorite to prevail in November over Democrat Diane Singer. Indeed, the Republican primary is expected to be closer than the general election race.

Both GOP campaigns are focusing heavily on Orange County. Hagman is doing virtually all his precinct walking here, and Dick is touting his residency as a key asset that will benefit this county’s constituency.

“Orange County is different than Los Angeles County or San Bernardino County,” he said. “And there’s a county camaraderie. I think it’s easier for two Assembly members from Orange County to sit down and talk – easier than if one of them is from outside of the county.”

Predictably, Hagman dismisses the notion. He points out that the last two representatives of the district have not been from Orange County, and both worked well on behalf of the county. He also points out that his city abuts Brea and Yorba Linda, giving him a natural affinity for the area.

But a bigger difference between Dick and Hagman may be their business and political background. Hagman owns a bail bonds business and is a mayor, while Dick owns a less controversial business – appliance repair – and has a narrower range of political experience sitting on water boards.

Hagman says he is anticipating campaign attacks accusing him of running a business that helps criminals get out of jail. He sees his business as contributing to society.

“Bail bonds is a very efficient way to ensure a person shows up in court,” he said. “And it’s the judge who sets the bail and decides who should get out.”

Hagman’s antidotes to attack include the years of volunteer work he’s done for his sheriff’s department, the three awards he’s received for that work, and the numerous endorsements from the law enforcement community. Backers include the sheriffs of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and four Orange County police unions.

Hagman boasts of his far-ranging experience and networking, which has included working out a new property tax distribution system in his county that shares a bigger chunk of property taxes with cities. He is also working with the county on an expansion plan for its Chino airport, and with the state prisons system on a new inmate vocational education program.

Dick’s strength, meanwhile, is water. He’s served for 10 years on the boards of ever-bigger water district. According to Sen. Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine, he would bring a much needed expertise to the Legislature.

“We’re at a point in Southern California where water is becoming the most important issue, and it would be good for us to have someone with his expertise,” said Ackerman, who is among the numerous Orange County elected officials backing Dick.

Dick also points out that the Metropolitan Water Board, with its 2,000 employees and nearly $2 billion budget has given him experience in overseeing a large-scale operation. He adds that he’s been serving on water boards far longer than Hagman has been on the City Council.

“Without water, all the other issues go away,” he said. “Housing prices go down, schools become uncrowded and the only traffic will be leaving Southern California.”

Martin Wisckol has been the Register's politics writer and weekly Buzz columnist since 1998, and was given the title of political editor by a generous boss in 2011. He started his career writing about surfing and music, but has written predominantly about government and politics since 1985. He has held reporting positions in his hometown of San Diego, as well as in Detroit, Jacksonville and Miami. Along the way, he has put in extended stints in Japan, South America and Switzerland. His work has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Headliner Awards, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the Florida Press Club, among others.

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